Lecturers' strike hurts students and damages UK reputation - Williams

7.49.30pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 2nd Jun 2006

Commenting on the University and College Lecturers' Union's rejection of the latest pay offer from the University and College Employers Association, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Higher and Further Education Stephen Williams MP said "Higher education is crucial to our economy, international competitiveness and cultural life. Understandably many lecturers are aggrieved at not receiving pay increases in line with other public sector workers over the past 25 years.

"However, advice from the union not to set or mark exams will hurt students, not the employers. It could also cause lasting damage to the international reputation of UK universities."

"Union leaders should consider putting the current offer to their members in a ballot. If they democratically choose to continue industrial action they should look at other means of protest such as suspending their own research work.

"Once this dispute is resolved both sides must consider how they can avoid a repeat of such a devastating clash in future years."